Charles Parker came to Rushden in about 1867, with his wife Mary Ann (nee Smith). They married at Northampton in 1858, and lived at 3 Broad Lane West, Northampton, where Charles was a leather cutter. A daughter Rose Anna was born the following year, a son Owen was born in 1860, and two daughters, Ada B in 1862, and Ann L in 1865.

In 1868 they were living at Higham Ferrers where Charles had set up his own buiness and daughter Norah was born.

Owen married Kate Annie Packwood of Rushden in 1887, and went on to become an MP, Mayor, and head of the company.

Norah married Oliver Claridge, son of Ebenezer Claridge, shoemaker of Rushden. Their daughter Audrey Milicent was born in 1910.

Mary Ann Parker in her garden c1900 Photo by S Powell of Rushden

Charles died aged 61 in 1899, and Mary Ann died in 1909 aged 76.

Audrey Claridge (later Samet, then Godden) their granddaughter, must have worked an embroidery for the seat of her grandmother's old arm. Audrey's daughter Claire Godden later wrote on the back:

	Caption written by Claire
	Mary Ann reading as the photo above was taken by Sam Powell - note the emboidery on her dress. Perhaps she worked it herself?